Boston police detective Dani Lake dreads returning to her small hometown of Skye, Alabama, for her ten-year high school reunion--and not just for the normal reasons.
At only fifteen, Dani tragically discovered the body of her murdered classmate, setting in motion the process that led to the unjust conviction of her dear friend and an unshakable burden of guilt she carries to this day. So when new evidence surfaces during her trip home which suggests the truth Dani’s always suspected, she embarks on a mission to expose the real killer, aided by Skye police detective Chris Newton--who happens to be the man Dani’s best friend is dying to set her up with, and also the only person who believes her.
But when Dani pushes too hard, someone pushes back, endangering Dani and those closest to her as she unearths secrets deeper and darker than she ever expected to learn—secrets that may bring the truth to light, if they don’t get her killed first.
A Secrets and Lies Suspense Novel. Thrilling, clean suspense and mystery laced with romance and faith.
D.L. Wood is a USA TODAY bestselling author of thrilling suspense laced with romance and faith. Her books have won multiple awards (2016 Illumination Book Awards Gold Medal for best Christian Fiction Ebook; 2019 Illumination Book Awards Gold Medal for best General Christian Fiction) and her novel Unintended Target was selected as the May 2019 American Christian Fiction Writers Book Club book. She is an Amazon bestselling author of Christian Mystery & Suspense and millions of pages of her books have been read through Kindle Unlimited. D.L. writes CleanCaptivatingFiction™- fiction that entertains and uplifts. In her novels she tries to give readers the same thing that she wants: a "can't-put-it-down-stay-up-till-3am" character-driven story, full of heart, believability and adrenaline. D.L. lives in North Alabama, where, if she's not writing, you'll probably catch her curled up with a cup of Earl Grey (light milk, one sugar) and her Westies - Frodo and Dobby - bingeing on the latest BBC mystery series. You can stay apprised of D.L.'s releases and promotions (including free and discounted books) by subscribing to her newsletter on her website at dlwoodonline.com.
Oh my gosh!!! This book was amazing!! I loved it. The ending was surprising, and I may have stayed up wayyyy too late finishing it. I highly recommend. It’s one of my favorite mysteries I’ve read this year.
“Danielle Lake was fifteen years old the first time she saw a dead body.”
“The only thing you can count on in this world is that you can not count on the things of this world. But the wise man builds his house upon the Rock. Because the Rock is stable. Unchanging. And though the world falls away, the Rock remains.”
“No more wound, deep and dark, always raw and seeping, never healing. No more unanswered questions. No more guilt over being the one who started it all, then left it unfinished.”
Secrets She Knew by DL Wood might be my favorite one of hers yet. It hooked me from that fantastic first sentence all the way through its gripping conclusion. If you love faith-based suspense mysteries, then read this book immediately.
Danielle (“Dani”) Lake is a detective from Boston who is back in her hometown of Skye, Alabama. While her reasoning of returning home is to attend a 10-year high school reunion and pack up her deceased parents belongings, she is flooded with thoughts of that fateful day when she was 15 years old and discovered the dead body of a murdered classmate. While back in town, Dani soon discovers the diary of the deceased classmate and what ensues is a rollercoaster ride of secrets, mystery, romance, faith, and deception.
As I have mentioned in other reviews for DL Wood books, I love how she uses setting and descriptive imagery of her scenes, the realistic characters and dialogue, and how she perfectly weaves in aspects of faith. And like always, the mystery is top notch and will have you guessing until its high octane conclusion. I totally loved how it ended and thought it was the perfect conclusion.
So in conclusion, please do yourself a favor and read this book or any book by DL Wood. You will not be disappointed!
I received this book courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.
I love reading cold case novels. In Secrets She Knew, Dani discovered the murder of a classmate when she was 15 years old. Thirteen years later, Dani is a police detective and adamant that the wrong man was convicted of the crime. When new evidence surfaces, it serves as motivation to look into the murder again.
From the first pages, I was hooked and near the end I was equally creeped out. Pun intended #iykyk D.L. Wood is a fantastic writer and brings to life this investigative suspense story that is a quick read but one that had me second-guessing my decision to read alone at night. Quick pacing and well-developed plot made this a quick read that I won't soon forget.
Danielle Lake was fifteen years old the first time she saw a dead body. What an opening line! It hooked me and drew me in. I only get to read at night and I finished this book in two nights, staying up way past my bedtime to read to The End! This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I love the way D. L. Wood uses her settings to draw you in. I felt like I lived in Skye, Alabama by the time I finished the book.
Dani Lake is back in Skye to take care of closing up her parents' house after their deaths four months ago. But she's not just back for that. She is determined to prove the man convicted of killing one of her classmates thirteen years earlier is innocent. The dead body she found. She feels responsible for his conviction, but the real killer doesn't want her investigating the crime. And neither do the local sheriff and prosecutor. But she has one ally. Detective Chris Newton. Together, they sort out the clues. The ending has a twist you won't see coming.
I think this is my favorite D. L. Wood book...I say I think because I love all her books. While Wood provided me an advanced copy of Secrets She Knew, I liked the book so well, I purchased a copy for my library!
4.5 stars for this fun thriller! Detective Danielle Lake has returned from Boston to her hometown of Skye, AL for her 10 year high school reunion as well as the daunting task of packing up her childhood home. Thirteen years earlier, she'd found the dead body of a classmate and has never been able to let go of the case, believing the wrong person was indicted. While home, Dani uncovers new evidence and strives to get the case re-opened, but in doing so, puts herself in the killer's crosshairs.
This book hit the ground running. While there was a bit of a lull immediately following due to us needing to get caught up on the 13 years in between, my interest never waned. Once we got to the mid-point, though, I couldn't put it down! While I suspected the killer, I wasn't quite sure how the details could possibly work, so I thought myself to be overthinking things. I loved the way the author brought it all together! This was my first novel by D.L. Wood, but won't be my last!
Story is intriguing and ends with a welcome surprise. Narrator is soft spoken and clear. Like the characters and hope it’s part of a series. Christian-based morals In the life lesson talk between best friends. Clean.
Secrets She Knew is the first story I’ve read by D. L. Wood. I will definitely be reading more from this author! This story is a cold case mystery which has haunted our main character, Dani, since she found a high school classmate that had been murdered.
The start of this story was a tad slower than I was expecting, but it really set the mood and explained why Dani couldn’t let this supposedly solved case go. Once the story picked up, wow! As usual, I accused everyone of everything, but boy was I shocked at how it all played out!
I can’t wait to read more of D. L. wood’s stories!
Had me from the beginning and I was surprised by the ending. No gore, sex, or language. Enjoyable narrator.
This is a book with a Christian theme. However, it is not a shove it down your throat approach: there is a conversion mentioned once in the middle of the book and a church service 3/4 in.
3.5 stars "She would spend the rest of her life wishing she hadn't."
Wishing she hadn't . . . . . found the dead body of a fellow classmate at the age of fifteen. The memories still haunt Boston police detective Danielle Lake, so much so that she rarely returns to her hometown of Skye, Alabama. And Dani has never gone back to the scene of the crime, where she is certain that her testimony only served to send the wrong man to prison.
What led her towards the honeysuckle vine along the river again on this occasions was an overflow of grief, what made Dani notice the old shed just a few yards away led her to an amazing discovery. Maybe now the case could be re-opened and true justice would be served. But local law enforcement isn't all that keen on helping her; there are a lot of people in Skye, Alabama who want bygones to be bygones; and after all, the case is closed.
That young victim; "There was no end to the secrets she knew."
What a clever story! With her clear, concise overlay of facts, clues, and wrong conclusions, the author has spun a tale that uses every tool at her disposal; engaging characters, an interesting plot, and hefty dose of "what"???????
It was very good. A Boston detective goes to her hometown for a high school reunion. She has a painful history in that town, because 14 years prior she found a dead classmate. Wouldn't say there are twists and turns as much as uncovering and solving the case.
Good plot and exciting characters. Danielle Lake was fifteen years old when she discovered the body of her classmate, a popular girl. The body was left close to the house of a doctor she knew, respected and loved like her second father. That discovery and the fact that her friend, the doctor, got to prison for murder marked her and was why she became a detective. Even after all the years, she still believes her friend is innocent. Dani never returned to the scene of the crime again until that last summer; she did not know how she got there, and when she checked the shed close to the field, she discovered something that could, after so many years, prove that his friend is innocent, but it was enough? The police chief does not think so; the authorities still believe that plenty of evidence points to the doctor, They all want to forget and keep it that way and recommend Dani move on, too but she can not. In the inquiries, Dani meets a handsome detective that seems to understand her and support her ideas, and he is not only interested in the case but in her; she also feels the attraction, but she is more concentrated on the case when a mysterious man who breaks into her home, and advice her not to continue with her inquires. This exciting plot with a lot of twists makes you want more. Highly recommended. FIVE STARS
Danielle Lake saw her first dead body at the age of 15. She found Jennifer hidden among honeysuckles near the river on Dr. Beecher’s property. That day would forever shape her life. Thirteen years later, Dani remains convinced that the wrong man is in prison for Jennifer’s murder. Now a police detective in Boston, Dani returns to Alabama to pack up her childhood home following the death of her parents at the hand of a drunk driver. Not long after her arrival, she feels an inescapable drawl Dr. Beecher’s property. While visiting the scene of the murder for the first time since she found Jennifer’s body, she happens upon Jennifer’s diary hidden in a nearby shed. Is this the evidence she has been hoping for to release the innocent man and call the real murderer to account?
This is a very well written mystery/suspense novel. There is even some romance thrown in for good measure. This story shows just how much our experiences shape our lives. I enjoyed the book so much I finished it in one day. I was left guessing who did it until the very end. The story is clean, free of curse words and sex scenes. It does contain some adult content and violence so I would not recommend it for the young reader. I would recommend it for the adult reader who likes a good mystery.
This was the first book I've read by this author, and I absolutely loved it. It was so compelling and impossible to put down.
Dani's back in her hometown to clean out her parent's house and to attend her high school reunion when new evidence pops up on a case that has haunted her since her teenage years. When she was fifteen, she discovered the dead body of one of her classmates. She's always felt like the wrong person was convicted for the crime, and this new evidence might just support her theory. Now, she'll stop at nothing to expose the real perpetrator, and clear her friend's name. But the killer has other ideas and is willing to go to great lengths to keep their secret.
From the very first sentence, I was hooked. I was so invested and needed to know more. It held my full attention until the very end. There were lots of twists and turns I didn't see coming. I want to say more so much more, but I don't want to spoil any of it for you. Just trust me, it's so good!
This gets a big recommendation from me. It was such a masterfully told story. If you're a fan of this genre, pick up a copy of this book. You won't regret it. I'm eager to check out more from this author.
It had me on page one!! You know that feeling we all want when we first begin a new book. I am not a fast reader--that is, I don't spend large blocks of time on a book as I have other things to do. However, "Secrets She Knew" broke that pattern. I've enjoyed all of D.L.Wood's books finding each one more and more captivating as she develops the lives of the characters. As I read, I found myself predicting what was about to happen, confident that I knew where she was headed and then, BAM, she would take a sharp turn taking me down a totally unpredictable path...one as intriguing as the one I had just left. Generally, I'm reluctant to recommend a book, much like a restaurant, for fear my recommendation will lead to disappointment but not so with this book. Instead. I confidently recommend "Secrets She Knew: A Secrets and Lies Suspense Novel" to anyone who enjoys that 'quick grab from a good book'... believe me, you won't want to stop reading.
How would your life change if you found your best friends body, and you knew the wrong person had been arrested for the crime? Dani’s life and choices for the future were changed forever due to these very things in her life. The question is, will these things define her? As she seeks answers, her very life could be on the line for the sake of the truth? Will she be able to find the answers she needs to move forward with her life? This book has twists and turns to keep you guessing, but for me Dani’s journey is the crux of the story. Well written, with relatable, real characters this is one I recommend.
Excellent twists and turns in this suspense story. I initially thought it was an inspirational suspense romance book, but having finished it, I'd say it was straightforward suspense with a dash of inspirational themes and a "hint-of-hint-of" romance, as my daughters might jokingly state. The story was good until the last chapter which I felt kinda dragged out a few things but never really resolved much besides one thing. It could've been stated in a paragraph or two at the end of the previous chapter. I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to read an interesting, clean suspense novel.
Dani's back in her hometown for a class reunion. She's anxious about this, due to a murder that happened when she was fifteen, and she felt that the wrong person was convicted of the crime...and she still does. Now she is a police detective in Boston. She finds new evidence in this 'solved case' that could set her dear friend free of the crime. But the more she digs into it, the more the real killer pushes back. Will there be more killings? Can Dani prove she was right or will she too end up another victim? I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
The audio version narrated by Dana Dae suited the story. Smooth, lovely narrative voice and a page-turning journey! Detective Danielle Lake has been haunted by the death of a high school friend for 13 years, convinced the man convicted of the murder is innocent. She is alone in her belief. When she returns to her rural Alabama hometown, she uncovers new evidence no one wants to investigate. The twists and turns in her private investigation lead to more clues and increasing danger. Readers of Charles Martin and Creston Mapes will enjoy this book.
I really enjoyed this book. A suspense filled murder mystery that will keep you guessing . At 15 Danielle Lake discovered the body of her school mate. It changed her life forever. Now she is back in Skye for her reunion and discovers a clue that might help her solve the thirteen year old mystery that she believes sent an innocent man to prison. I would recommend this book. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
Fabulous book! I loved the characters! I felt like I really got to know them. I was hooked on the mystery from page 1 and didn’t want to put it down. I never solved the mystery ahead of finding it out in the book. I love that! Sometimes, it can be figured out. Not this time! I loved being able to read such a well written clean mystery! This was the first book I have read by this author, but it won’t be the last!
Wow! Any time I read a mystery or suspense novel, the whole way through I’m trying to look for clues to solve it. In this book, there are so many twists and turns that I found myself second-guessing those clues from start to finish. I definitely didn’t want to put it down until I reached its conclusion and neither will you. Excellent characters and plot development. I highly recommend it!
This is my first book by D.L. Wood and I’ve already downloaded the next book in the series! She writes a great mystery with plenty of unexpected twists and plot reversals to keep you turning the pages. I could picture myself in the main character’s place as she works through this very personal case from her youth. Until the reveal, I was blaming all the wrong people lol and it was a great surprise! Can’t wait to see what happens to Detective Dani next.
Great book about how traumas of our past help to shape our future. This is a great mystery about a solved murder that a young woman detective continues to investigate because she is personally invested in the case. The story grabs you and pulls you through the twists and turns. You see how the victim's friends have grown-up and evolved and how secrets have been buried deep. Thrilling read!
I was pulled in from page 1 and by the end of chapter 1, I was hooked. I could not put this book down and finished it in one sitting. I have read all of this author’s books but I think this is my favorite so far. The characters were likable and believable, and the story kept me on the edge of my seat. I cannot wait for another book from D. L. Wood.
I love a good mystery/suspense book, but it is so hard to find good ones that are clean and not full of profanity. This book was great. It grabs you at the very beginning and keeps you in suspense to the very end. Well written with interesting characters that draw you in and keep you turning the pages.
This story is very well written. It has a strong storyline with strong characters. It's filled with suspense, mystery, struggles, faith and many twists and turns. I appreciate D L Wood because her books are clean and yet very well written story with all the elements needed for a suspenseful story.
This is the first book I’ve read by D.L. Wood and I loved it. So many twists and turns and surprises. This was such a page turner and it was the kind of book where you have a feeling about some things and you’re hoping you’re wrong, but can’t breathe easy until you know for sure. I’ll definitley be looking for more books by this author!
Detective Dani Lake has returned to her childhood home town of Skye, Alabama, to attend a high-school class reunion and to clear out her parents' home. While she's in town, she discovers a clue that leads to the solution of a thirteen-year-old murder ... and puts Dani in desperate danger from the killer.